Our People

A statistics and machine learning expert, Benoit has worked over the past two decades across applied statistics and machine learning (in particular deep learning) in a wide variety of areas, including agricultural and health applications, quantitative genetics and genomics, traceability and food safety, sports prediction, survey analysis, tourism, and education.

With almost 20 years as an ICT leader, manager and strategist, Greg helps turn the latest technology into real-life solutions for his clients. Greg has worked in a wide range of sectors across Government and private companies and has designed and implemented IT solutions for everything from financial and employee systems to data management and information security. 

Masha Mikhisor is a computer vision and machine learning engineer, with extensive experience in applying different supervised and unsupervised learning methods for real time image recognition tasks.

Masha has expertise in image processing libraries (such as OpenCV) and code optimizing for parallel processing.

In her spare time, Masha enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, hiking, biking, cross-country running, orienteering, and snowboarding. She enjoys multi-day hikes and endurance running events and was one of the organizers of Dunedin’s park run, a weekly running event in Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Haitao Xu is a data scientist and machine learning engineer. He has experience in both classical machine learning and deep learning methods. His technical skills include implementing machine learning algorithms through libraries/APIs (scikit-learn, Theano, Pytorch, TensorFlow etc.), applying them effectively by choosing a suitable model (decision tree, k-NN, neural networks, support vector machine, the ensemble of models, etc.), recognising useful patterns (correlations, clusters, etc.) and/or predicting properties of previously unseen instances (classification, regression, anomaly detection, etc.). He is also interested in handling unstructured data. In his spare time, Haitao enjoys travelling with his family, hiking and fishing.

Oliver Molteno is a machine learning engineer at Iris Data Science, he has experience in developing computer vision models, 3D modelling, and object detection using neural networks (Python, OpenCV and Tensorflow). He also has some experience in micro-controller programming and PCB design. He obtained his BSc in Electronics from Otago University in 2019 with minors in Mathematics and Computational Modelling. In his spare time Oliver enjoys working on cars, building gadgets and snowboarding.

Murray Tannock is a data scientist and software engineer, with experience stemming from a global academic background in mathematics and theoretical computer science. Murray's technical skills include polyglot programming, organisation of projects, and analysis of computationally complex problems, providing a high level of adaptability to the task at hand. Outside of work Murray is the current Pipe Major of the City of Dunedin Pipe Band, also competing in solo piping competitions. He also enjoys road cycling, skiing, and hiking; when both time and weather permit.

Harley Paterson is a software engineer and computer systems researcher. Harley has experience in aerospace, telecommunications, and higher education. He has interests in embedded computing, high-performance and real time software, and operating systems.

Harley’s strong knowledge of computer architecture, embedded development, and optimisation is useful for deploying machine learning models on compact, low power, and resource limited computers. Harley has academic interests in operating systems design and implementation, and occasionally contributes to the development of next generation programming languages such as D.

Outside of work Harley enjoys equestrian sports and is a competitive endurance runner, regularly competing in the local marathon.

Reuben Crisp is a technical artist, and like many tech artists he didn’t intend to become one. His role was borne out of prosaic necessity bridging the gap between engineers and people. He designs 2D and 3D interfaces which present complex data in an intuitive and beautiful way. He has an eye for detail and a heart for laughter, as he is an award winning comedian, and a regular headliner and MC in the local comedy scene.

Michel is a statistician, software developer and economist. Originally from The Netherlands, Michel obtained his PhD in Economics from the University of Amsterdam. He studied mathematics at Utrecht and at UCL. His main experience is in applying statistical models in a variety of settings, mostly in health sciences.

Ivan Piacun is a Solutions Architect and a Senior Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator and passionate about achieving performance in SQL Server and SSAS commensurate with the environment they are being used in. He has worked with SQL Server 2000—2014, and has developed applications in C#, Visual Basic .NET, and VB6 since 2000, Including a Data Warehouse and Multi-Dimensional Cubes. He is always keen to find the best fit solution for a problem, and if he can’t find one to design it.

Ivan is a Chartered IT Professional, a member of the Institute of IT Professionals a past Branch Chair in Hamilton, past Treasurer, plus a past committee member of many years, and regularly attends ITP events in Hamilton.

In his spare time Ivan shows a keen interest in cyber-security and information security, and likes taking his two King Charles Cavaliers for walks.